Interlabial pad packaging

ABSTRACT

A package of individually packaged interlabial pads.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisonal of U.S. application Ser. No.10/043,895, filed Nov. 9, 2001. The foregoing application isincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to a package, and moreparticularly to interlabial pad packaging.

[0003] The invention concerns the packaging of interlabial pads of thetype shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,392 issued Jun. 17, 1986, entitled“Interlabial Pad”, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,403 issued Jun. 16, 1987,entitled “Method and Pad Allowing Improved Placement of CatamenialDevice”. In addition, the invention is applicable to the packaging ofother interlabial pads.

[0004] Interlabial pads like other absorbent feminine care products(e.g., tampons, panty liners and feminine napkins) are intended to becarried about in purses, backpacks and briefcases until needed.Unfortunately, these containers do not always provide a hygienicenvironment for the pads, and thus the pads can become dirty and/ordamaged. Further, the pads can become scattered about in the containersso they are difficult to find when needed. Although packages have beendeveloped to hold other absorbent feminine care products (e.g., thepackages described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.09/713,604, 09/713,496, 09/713,565, 09/713,497, and 09/713,596, all ofwhich were filed on Nov. 15, 2000, and are hereby incorporated byreference; and application Ser. Nos. 09/917,540, and 09/916,795, both ofwhich were filed on Jul. 27, 2001, and are hereby incorporated byreference), there is a need for packaging for interlabial pads.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In general, the invention comprises a package of interlabial padsfor carrying a supply of the pads in hygienic condition in such manneras to maintain them in hygienic condition and to be readily availablefor use in hygienic condition when needed. The package comprises areceptacle and a supply of pads in the receptacle. The receptacle has anopening through which a pad may be withdrawn for use when needed.Further, the receptacle has a reclosable closure for closing theopening. The closure is closed for carrying the pads in hygieniccondition and for continued carrying in hygienic condition of the padsremaining in the receptacle after withdrawal of a pad.

[0006] Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an interlabial pad such as may bepackaged in accordance with this invention, partly broken away to showdetail;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a edge view of the interlabial pad;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the pad folded;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a section taken in the plane of line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a front elevation of hygienic packaging containing thefolded pad;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a section taken in the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a package of a first embodiment ofthe present invention in a closed condition, the packaged pads thereinshown in dashed lines;

[0014]FIG. 8 is a section taken in the plane of line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0015]FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the package of FIG. 7 in an openedcondition;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a section taken in the plane of line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the package of FIG. 7 in an openedcondition;

[0018]FIG. 10 is a section taken in the plane of line 10—10 of FIG. 9;

[0019]FIG. 11 is a front elevation of a package of a second embodimentof the present invention, the packaged pads therein shown in dashedlines;

[0020]FIG. 12 is a section taken in the plane of line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

[0021]FIG. 13 is a front elevation of a package of a third embodiment ofthe present invention, the packaged pads therein shown in dashed lines;

[0022]FIG. 14 is a section taken in the plane of line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

[0023]FIG. 15 is a front elevation of a package of a fourth embodimentof the present invention in an opened condition, the packaged padstherein shown in dashed lines;

[0024]FIG. 16 is a section taken in the plane of line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

[0025]FIG. 17 is a front elevation of the package of FIG. 15 in anopened condition; and

[0026]FIG. 18 is a front elevation of a package of a fifth embodiment ofthe present invention in an opened condition, the packaged pads thereinshown in dashed lines.

[0027] In the above-noted sectional views, film is depicted insingle-line style rather than in exaggerated thickness withcross-hatching.

[0028] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, an interlabial pad isdesignated in its entirety by the reference number 1. The pad 1, whichis exemplary of interlabial pads that may be packaged in accordance withthis invention, is generally of the type disclosed in the aforesaid U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,595,392 and 4,673,403, which are hereby incorporated byreference. In one embodiment, the pad 1 is generally oval and haslateral projections 3. Although the pad 1 may have other dimensionswithout departing from the scope of the present invention, in oneembodiment the pad has an overall width of about 3.4 centimeters (cm)and an overall length of between about 6 cm and about 10 cm. As thoseskilled in the art will appreciate, the interlabial pad may have othershapes without departing from the scope of the present invention.Although the pad 1 of one embodiment comprises a lamination of a layer 5of absorbent material on a fluid impervious layer 7 (e.g., plasticfilm), pads having other configurations including those without animpervious layer are also contemplated. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, inone embodiment the pad 1 is folded in half on its major axis asindicated at 9 and, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is individually packagedin an elongate, generally flat sealed hygienic package 11 having alongitudinal seam 13 and end seals 15. In alternative embodiments, it isenvisioned that the package 11 may not be sealed or may be omittedentirely. Further, it is envisioned that the pad 1 may be unfoldedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. Although thepackage 11 may be made of other materials without departing from thescope of the present invention, in one embodiment the package is made ofheat-sealable plastic film and in another embodiment the package is madeof paper. The seam 13 and seals 15 may be made by any conventionalprocess such as heat sealing, mechanical sealing or adhesive bonding.Further, it is envisioned that the pad 1 may be sealed in the package 11with a cardboard backing 16. Although the package 11 may have otherdimensions without departing from the scope of the present invention, inone embodiment the package has an overall width of about 4.0 cm and anoverall length of between about 8.5 cm and about 12.5 cm.

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a package of a first embodimentof the present invention is designated in its entirety by the referencenumeral 17. The package 17, carries a supply 19 of the interlabial pads1 individually wrapped in their respective sealed hygienic packages 11readily available for use when needed. The package 17 generallycomprises a receptacle 21 (e.g., a pocket) having a mouth or opening 23(see FIG. 10 particularly) through which a pad 1 in its sealed package11 may be withdrawn for use when needed. The receptacle 21 has areclosable flap 25 for closing the opening 23. The flap 25 may be closedafter a pad 1 is withdrawn to retain the remaining pads in thereceptacle 21 until needed.

[0031] The receptacle 21 comprises a bag having front and back walls 27and 29 joined at the sides 31 and 33 and bottom 35 and free from eachother at the top to define the opening 23. The flap 25 which is integralwith the back wall 29 may be folded over the opening 23 so it overliesthe front wall 27. The flap 25 is releasably adhered to the front wall27 by an adhesive or mechanical closure 37. The receptacle 21 is formedfrom an elongate rectangular blank folded along fold 35 to form thefront and back walls 27, 29, respectively. In one embodiment, the blankis a plastic film such as polyethylene film having a thickness ofbetween about 1.25 mil and about 2.0 mils. In alternative embodiments,the blank is a non-woven material or a non-woven and film laminate. Thefold 35 constitutes the bottom of the receptacle 21. The front and backwalls 27, 29 are sealed together as by heat seals 31 s and 33 s at bothsides, and are free from each other at the top to define the bag opening23. The plastic film (e.g., polyethylene) from which the bag is made isgenerally opaque as by being pigmented (e.g., blue) to conceal thepackaged pads in the bag. In one embodiment, the closure 37 is a spot 45of pressure-sensitive adhesive such as two-sided tape for releasablyadhering the flap 25. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), theclosure 37 includes a stripe of pressure-sensitive adhesive extendingfrom side to side along the receptacle 21. The packages 11 of pads 1(e.g., from about three to about six in number) are aligned verticallyso they extend from the opening 23 to the bottom 35 of the receptacle21. In an alternative embodiment, it is envisioned that the pads 1 maybe aligned horizontally from side to side in the receptacle 21. Althoughthe receptacle 21 may have other dimensions without departing from thescope of the present invention, in one embodiment the receptacle has anoverall width measured from side to side of about 10.8 cm and an overallheight measured from the opening 23 to the bottom 35 of between about9.5 cm and about 14.0 cm. Further, the flap 25 of this one embodimenthas a width matching the width of the receptacle 21 and a height ofabout 5.1 cm.

[0032] Thus, the supply 19 of pads 1 is carried in a hygienic condition.Because the receptacle 21 (including the flap 25) is opaque, thecontents are not visible and thus are carried in a discreet manner. Apad 1 is readily available for use in hygienic condition when needed bypulling the flap 35 back (to the open condition illustrated in FIGS. 9and 10) to open the receptacle 21, withdrawing a sealed package 11, andtearing it open to access the pad 1 therein. The torn-open package 11 isdiscarded. The flap 25 may then be re-adhered to the front wall 27 ofthe receptacle 21 to re-close the bag by means of the closure 37.

[0033]FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a second embodiment of the package ofthe present invention, designated by 47 in its entirety. The package 47of the second embodiment again comprises an opaque plastic receptacle 49having front and back walls 51, 53, respectively, joined at the sides55, 57 by heat-sealed side seams, having a fold 59 for the bottom and anopening 61. Instead of the flap 25 and closure 37, the receptacle 49 isprovided with conventional press-fit members 63 and 65 (i.e.,conventional interlockable plastic channels) extending across the frontand back walls 51, 53 adjacent the opening 61. The receptacle 49 holds aplurality (e.g., three to six) packages 11 of pads 1. Although in theillustrated embodiment the packages 11 extend vertically from the bottom59 to adjacent the opening 61 just below the press-fit members 63, 65,it is also envisioned that the packages may extend horizontally fromside to side. The press-fit members 63, 65 are conventionally used onplastic bags and will not be described in further detail. Although thereceptacle 49 may have other dimensions without departing from the scopeof the present invention, in one embodiment the receptacle has anoverall width measured from side to side of about 10.8 cm and an overallheight measured from the opening 61 to the bottom 59 of between about9.5 cm and about 14.0 cm.

[0034]FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a third embodiment of the package ofthe present invention, designated by 67 in its entirety. For the mostpart, the package 67 of the third embodiment is the same as the package47 of the second embodiment except for the use of conventional slidefastener members 69 and 71 (instead of press-fit members 63 and 65) anda conventional slide fastener 73. Members 69, 71 and slide fastener 73are such as conventionally used on plastic bags and will not bedescribed in further detail. Although the receptacle of the package 67of the third embodiment may have other dimensions without departing fromthe scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the receptacle hasan overall width measured from side to side of between about 9.5 cm andabout 14.0 cm and an overall height measured from the opening to thebottom of about 10.8 cm.

[0035] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the package of thepresent invention, designated by 81 in its entirety. The package 81 ofthe fourth embodiment is in the style of wallet and has two pockets 83and 85, each having an opening 83 m, 85 m, facing the other opening. Thepackage 81 may be folded in half with the openings 83 m, 85 m on theinside. Packages 11 of pads 1 are stocked in the pockets. The package 81comprises an elongate rectangular outside wall 87 of the opaque plasticfilm and inside walls 89 and 91 of said film extending across the insideface 93 of the outside wall from one side of the outside wall to theother and inward from the ends of the outside wall. Each inside wall 89,91 terminates short of the center of the outside wall 87 thereby formingthe openings 83 m, 85 m of a pad-containing pocket.

[0036] In further detail, the receptacle 81 comprises an elongaterectangular blank of the opaque plastic film, portions of which arefolded over as indicated at 95, 97 to form the inside walls 89, 91. Thefolds 95, 97 form the bottoms of the pockets 83, 85. The folded-over endportions forming the inside walls 89, 91 are heat-sealed at both sidesas indicated at 99 and 101 to the portion of the blank between folds 95,97 constituting the outside wall 87. The openings of the pockets 83, 85lie on opposite sides of a fold line F at the center of the outside wall87 on which the receptacle is foldable as illustrated in FIG. 17. Thereceptacle 81 may be held closed by a tab 103 heat-sealed to the outsidewall 87 and having a spot (or stripe) 105 of pressure-sensitive adhesivethereon. Or, as shown in FIG. 18, the spot (or stripe) 105 may beapplied to one of the inside walls, e.g., inside wall 91 to form apackage of a fifth embodiment. Although the pockets 83, 85 of thepackages 81 of the fourth and fifth embodiments may have otherdimensions without departing from the scope of the present invention, inone embodiment the pockets have overall widths measured from side toside of between about 9.5 cm and about 14.0 cm and overall heightsmeasured from the respective opening to the respective bottom of betweenabout 6.3 cm and about 8.9 cm.

[0037] Although the packages are described above as containinginterlabial pads, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thepackages may include other feminine care products and associatedsupplies. For example, the packages may contain a supply of interlabialpads and a supply of tampons and/or panty liners. Examples of associatedsupplies which the packages may contain include wipes and/or tissues.Further, it is envisioned that the packages may include more than onesize of interlabial pad without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

[0038] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects ofthe invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

[0039] When introducing elements of the present invention or thepreferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and“said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements.The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to beinclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than thelisted elements.

[0040] As various changes could be made in the above constructionswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package of interlabial pads for carrying asupply of the pads in hygienic condition in such manner as to maintainthem in hygienic condition and to be readily available for use inhygienic condition when needed, said package comprising a receptacle, asupply of pads in the receptacle, said receptacle having an openingthrough which a pad may be withdrawn for use when needed, saidreceptacle having a reclosable closure for closing the opening, saidclosure being closed for carrying the pads in hygienic condition and forcontinued carrying in hygienic condition of the pads remaining in thereceptacle after withdrawal of a pad, said receptacle comprising a baghaving front and back walls joined at the sides and bottom with saidopening at the top, said closure comprising press-fit members extendingacross the walls adjacent the opening.
 2. A package as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the bag comprises a blank folded to form said front andback walls, the fold constituting the bottom of the bag and the frontand back walls being attached together at the sides thereof.
 3. Apackage as set forth in claim 2 wherein the blank is at least partiallyopaque to conceal the packaged pads in the bag.
 4. A package as setforth in claim 2 wherein the blank comprises a plastic film.
 5. Apackage as set forth in claim 2 wherein the interlabial pads areindividually packaged.